A while back, before I bought my '74 LeSabre, I got thinking that B body's had epic internal dimensions due to their external dimensions. I don't normally carry passengers in the rear but doesn't it seem like there would be more space between the rear, bottom cushion and the back of the front seats? Basically, more legroom. I was expecting it to be limo-like back there but it seems comparable to my mom's Cobalt (no doubt the LeSabre is larger in every other dimension in the rear passenger compartment though). Do convertibles sacrifice some backseat space versus a two door hardtop/coupe? And do C bodies (Electra 225) have more room in the back versus B bodies?
C bodies have more room. Yes, the leg room is disappointing, even in the hardtops.o No: I find that I have to snug up to the steering wheel to get anyone in the back seat with comfort.
I believe drop tops have smaller back seats because the roof has to collapse and fold into the well, which requires a sacrifice of rear seat room.
Would a two door C body have more room than a two door B body? I wasn't sure if convertibles sacrificed back seat space or trunk space (or both). I haven't had much of a chance to closely look over another B/C body of the same era
C bodies have a 127" wheelbase, and the B bodies have 124". Yes, the 2 door C body will have more leg room, regardless of how many doors it has. The extra 3" is in the back seat. It doesn't make a difference whether it's a hardtop or convertible.
The back seat in my '67 convertible is comfortable for passengers. The attached pic shows the space with the front seat almost all the way back.
I bought a '64 Electra 225 2 door hardtop as a parts source for my convertible figuring I could use the rear seats since the upholstery was in good shape. Wrong. The back seat of a convertible is a little smaller than those in 2 door hardtops or sedans because of the piston covers. The seats are about 3" or so narrower. This is true for both the seat bottom and back. There is also a bit less foot room at the seat base below the armrest area that covers the body stiffening supports the convertibles need. The loss of this room is a very small price to pay for driving one of these boats with the top down, and 3 average sized people can still fit in there fine. These "full sized" cars are not like today's "full sized" 6 passenger cars where there is only room for a couple of normal sized folks in front and some short children in back.
pre 71 verts because of the way a hydro top functions have narrower back seats than their HT counterpart. the non hydro tops of 71-76 stack their frame totally different allowing them full width back seats. 71-76 b body cars share the same floorpan/carpet. just think what it would take to turn a 74 electra into a vert ... thats been churning in my brain for years. i think making it work easiest would be leaning the windshield back more and extend a few inches and recutting the door glass.:eek2: and all that that smartin said was exactly right.:TU:
nother question! Would a 4 door B body have the same backseat space as a two door B body (same year/model)?
Here is a backseat shot of a 4 door. The seat is forward quite a bit in this shot, so don't think there is an extra couple inches there...especially after a 6 foot tall guy sits in the front seat and can't get his knees under the steering wheel. Without measuring, I would say, YES they are the same.
another thing to measure is the distance from the back of the front seat to the front of the rear seat back. you might find some cars look like less leg room when actually they have more butt/makeout room.
I dont care about rear seat room,it's my car,i sit in front:Brow: :bla: And at 6'4 & 280 lbs i can say every Buick big car i've had has been more than spacious for me & very comfy to drive.My 69 electra 225 2 dr was by far the nicest road-trip car i've ever drivin:TU: Now try foot room in the back of a xtra cab full size P/U...i constantly get my foot jammed under the front seat & have to grab it & move it by hand to get out!:rant:
hey f14, whats new with your luxus? are you planning an extensive restore, fix up and drive, or just drive it till its gone. i havent seen you post much about it lately.
I'll admit I've been a bit slow keeping in touch on the board... I've got it stored indoors for the winter. Since then I've had a new white top installed and a full exhaust job. Was doing the exhaust manifold gaskets but ended up having the heads refurbished...you can guess how that happened :rant:lol So to answer your question I'm at the fix it up and drive it stage. Not ready for a full restore but I'm maintaining it and fixing all that's wrong with it otherwise
